New Brushes

(C) 2015 Dale DiMauro

Recently, I purchased these watercolor brushes from Jerry's Artarama, a mail-order art supply company. These brushes were priced very reasonably, in particular the larger sizes, which can get quite pricey, and that is why I purchased them.

The red-handled brushes function just like a Kolinsky, which is the standard for quality in watercolor circles. A Kolinsky brush has a reputation for holding a lot of water or pigment while consistently holding the bristles into a point. However, these red-handled brushes, labeled Creative Mark are called Mimik Kolinsky and manufactured with synthetic hair blends, thus, much cheaper than the squirrel and kolinsky sable that has been on the market. On the train painting I have been working on, I have used these brushes and find they hold an excellent point, and I love the feel they provide in my hand.

The other two brushes, called Harmony Squirrel Quill in sizes 6 and 12, I like for putting down a quick broad stroke early on in a painting. I am not necessarily plugging these products but am quite pleased with their reliability and craftsmanship. For me the brush you hold or the pencil or pen you grasp is quite personal. I prefer a brush that will make a mark that I can count on.